1.2. What Is A Game Designer?¶

Describing to someone what it means to be a game designer can be difficult. Part of the reason for this is that they do so many things. Here are some analogies that explain aspects of being a game designer:

• Game designers are architects. Architects do not build physical structures; they create blueprints. Video game designers also create “blueprints” which are referred to as “design docs”.
• Game designers are party hosts. Designers must be mindful that they are creating a space for others to enjoy. A great location, refreshments and entertainment can help make for an enjoyable time, but a party doesn’t exist without the guests. Nor does a game exist without players.
• Game designers are gods. We invent worlds.
• Game designers are lawyers. We create a set of rules that others must follow.
• Game designers are educators. Games are (at least sometimes) fun because they involve learning new skills.

If game design is all these things, where would it fit in a college curriculum? It could be justified in the school of education, or art, or architecture, or theology, or recreation management, or law, or engineering, or applied sciences, or half a dozen other things. Various programs dedicated to game design have started to appear, but anyone who hopes to be a designer needs to have an understanding of many fields.

This Extra Credits video sums it up nicely: